C’était très bien!
June 08, 2016

ByOliver Toal (University of Hartford)
- abroad from
01/13/2016
to
05/30/2016
with

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained a love for a new culture that I had never experienced before. I already loved the French food I had tried before, but I was able to try so much more, much of it home-cooked by my host mom. Living with a host family allowed me to experience the culture more than I otherwise would have. It was great to meet French and other international students, but I wish I had spent more time with them instead of other Americans. J'ai aussi appris le langue de française (I also learned the French language). That is one skill I hope to keep developing and practicing, and even go back to live in France someday.

Finances

Traveling really adds up, including metro passes, even with the pass Navigo. Everything is just rather expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?

200

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?

Try to not eat out too much, as that adds up quickly, as does travel.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?

Yes

How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?

Intermediate

What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?

n/a

How many hours per day did you use the language?

Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?

Stay with a host family, and make sure you practice a lot. If you take trips to other parts of France and stay with someone at an Air BNB you will have lots of time to practice as well.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

Host Family

* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

Host Family

* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

Local Students

Americans

International Students

About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?

The classes and professors I had were really good

I loved the excursions we went on to Normandy, Champagne, and 2 château(castles).

The staff was really nice and helpful

* What could be improved?

I wish we had more opportunities to interact with French students

I wish we could have a microwave in the program center

*and a fridge

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?

I can't really think of anything. Maybe I wish I had known French before I went, but then I wouldn't have been in my awesome beginner French class with my amazing professor.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer

Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'